Viewsonic

Double-vision all round with ViewSonic's freshly-outed range for MWC 2011, a dual-SIM smartphone and a dual-booting tablet headed to Barcelona next week. The ViewSonic V350 is a 3.5-inch HVGA Android 2.2 Froyo handset which can keep two SIMs active simultaneously, and packs a 5-megapixel camera, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, A-GPS and a microSD card slot.
Meanwhile the ViewSonic ViewPad 10Pro is a 10-inch capacitive 1024 x 600 tablet which can boot into either Windows 7 or Froyo. It has integrated 3G, WiFi and Bluetooth, and ViewSonic reckon the battery is good for up to 6hrs runtime.
No pricing or availability at this stage; we should find out more when Android Community goes to MWC next week.
Press Release:

ViewSonic Europe targets prosumer market with Dual-SIM Android Smartphone and Windows/Android dual-boot Tablet device
Devices to be previewed for the first time in Europe at Mobile World Congress on stand 2B77 Hall 2.
Mobile World Congress, Barcelona, 11 February 2011 – ViewSonic Europe, a global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, today announced the launch of its new Dual-SIM Android Smartphone, the V350 and its new 10 inch professional tablet PC, the ViewPad 10Pro. Both products have been designed to enable users to easily access both their work and personal life via just one device and will be previewed for the first time in Europe at Mobile World Congress (2B77 Hall 2) on 14 February 2011.
The V350 Smartphone with 3.5 inch display is an active Dual-SIM device running the Android 2.2 Froyo operating system, enabling the use of two network services at the same time. Its Dual-SIM capability is ideal for businesses wishing to provide staff with a mobile device that can offer separate numbers and bills for both personal and business use. This feature also enables travellers to carry just the one phone whilst still be able to take advantage of different pricing plans and network offers for voice and data in various countries. The V350 however does not compromise in other areas, with Android 2.2, a HVGA capacitive touch screen, 5-megapixel auto-focus camera, Micro-SD expansion, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth® 2.1 and assisted GPS navigation.
The ViewPad 10Pro is a 10” professional tablet PC with dual boot functionality, offering a quick switch capability between Windows® 7 Professional for business use and Google Android 2.2 for personal and social entertainment. Dual-boot enables users to access business software that only runs on Windows and investigate Android without switching completely. Many users enjoy the familiarity of Windows but want to get to know Android and configure their preferences before using it more widely. The ViewPad 10Pro is one of the first tablets to have the Intel Oak Trail processor combined with support for flash 10.1 and the new interface provides an excellent navigation experience. It has a 1024x600 LED backlit capacitive multi-touch panel, is fully connected with 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and has at least six hours of battery life.
“Last month Deloitte predicted, in its annual sector forecast, that UK companies will buy more than 10 million tablet devices in 2011. ViewSonic is well placed to capitalize on this market and offers users the best of both worlds from one device” said Derek Wright, Product Marketing Manager at ViewSonic Europe.
“Our V350 Smartphone is one of the most functional Dual-SIM phones on the market. With Android GMS for access to more than 200,000 Google applications, it has powerful multimedia capabilities and with both SIM cards active, you can place and receive calls on each at any time. The Dual-SIM proposition is compelling and will generate considerable market uptake this year.” Wright concluded.
For the first time in Europe, ViewSonic will also show its ViewPad 10s 3G. Launched at CES in January, the ViewPad 10s now benefits from 3G functionality that enhances current features that include GPS, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR.
About ViewSonic
ViewSonic® Corporation is a leading global provider of visual display and computing products. ViewSonic develops, markets and supports a broad range of innovative products, including computers, LCD monitors, projectors, LCD TVs, digital signage solutions, digital photo frames and other consumer electronics products. For further information, please contact ViewSonic Corporation at 0871 855 3355 or visit http://www.viewsoniceurope.com/uk/.

Android 2.4 is apparently set to arrive in April 2011, though it's supposedly set to still bear the Gingerbread name. According to Pocket-lint's sources at ViewSonic, Google has pulled forward the v2.4 release date so as to bring support for applications coded for dual-core devices - such as those running Android 3.0 Honeycomb - to single-core handsets, something Android 2.3 is currently unable to do.
The news fits in with our own sources, who told Android Community back in January that Google was requesting manufacturers hold off from releasing Gingerbread 2.3 updates or devices until the start of Q2 2011. At the time it was suggested that Google's move was to maintain the Nexus S' exclusivity on the market as the sole Gingerbread smartphone, but it now seems the decision may have been to allow the company's engineers time to ready Android 2.4. Interestingly, leaked images of the Sony Ericsson XPERIA Arc showed the phone running v2.4, though the company later described that as an accidental glitch.
The ViewSonic source also reckons - though this isn't confirmed - that Android 3.1 will be the version to bear the Ice Cream name.

Notion Ink's Eden UI has been ported to the Viewsonic GTablet, after the start-up released fix files containing the slate's ROM for those who had bricked their Adam. xda-developers wasted no time in bringing the three-pane interface over to the GTablet, and while it's not 100-percent stable, it's still arguably better than the UI Viewsonic opted for.
Interestingly the Notion Ink team seems aware of the hacking efforts, and - at least going by the latest blog post - don't appear too upset. "XDA community, we love you!" CEO Rohan Shravan claims.
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[Thanks to everybody who sent this in!; image and video via roebeet]

CES is over and the dust is settling in the technology market, but that does not mean there isn't any reportable news from the showroom floor. In fact, Chippy from CarryPad was talking to the Zino team and discovered they were using a mystery 7-inch tablet from Viewsonic at last weeks event.
Regretfully, there isn't much further information about the device as they did not allow him to further look around the tablet, but from his time with the device we can see that the back is ruggedized.
Similar to the Toshiba tablet also shown off at CES, we're expecting tablets built for daily life. With Mobile World Congress happening next month, expect further details of the device to start pouring in over the next few weeks and, hopefully, an announcement come February.
[Via NetbookNews]

As promised, ViewSonic has unveiled its latest Android device, the 4.1-inch ViewSonic ViewPad 4. Pushing the company into the smartphone market, the ViewPad 4 runs Qualcomm's 1GHz MSM8255 processor with a 5-megapixel autofocus camera capable of 720p HD video recording, WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1.
There's also 720p HD video playback via an HDMI port, GPS and A-GPS. OS is Android 2.2, and ViewSonic expect the smartphone to be available in the middle of 2011, priced according to carrier whim.
Press Release:

ViewSonic Expands ViewPad® Line at CES
ViewPad 4 Offers Phone and Tablet Functionality in Hand-Held Package
LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire - January 6, 2011) - CES 2011 ViewSonic Corp. (South Hall 30873), a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, is extending its ViewPad line at CES 2011 with a brand new 4-inch tablet.
"ViewSonic's heritage in display technology serves as a natural extension of our product expertise," said Jeff Volpe, vice president and general manager for ViewSonic Americas. "We have been at the forefront of visual display technology for nearly 25 years, 10 of which have been spent in the tablet space. We are proud to extend our tablet legacy by expanding our ViewPad offerings to incorporate new solutions like the ViewPad 4 that put ViewSonic anywhere consumers share, play and connect."
ViewSonic will now offer connected ViewPad solutions ranging from 4 to 10 inches, allowing consumers to select the ViewPad that works best for their needs. As part of this expansion, the company is introducing the ViewPad 4, an Android-based 4.1-inch WVGA touch capacitive device offering tablet power and performance -- and a phone -- all for carrying in your pocket. Based on a Qualcomm® MSM 8255, 1GHz platform, the ViewPad 4 offers full cell phone functionality bundled with HD 720p video recording, playback, upload and HDMI 720p display output. A 5-megapixel auto-focus camera and Bluetooth® 2.1 and 802.11 b/g/n wireless enable video telephony. Additionally, GPS / A-GPS functionality makes it easy to identify points of interest from anywhere. The ViewPad 4 will be available in the middle of 2011. Pricing will be dependent upon carriers.
Today's growth of the ViewPad line complements the rest of ViewSonic's tablet line being showcased at CES, including the ViewPad 7 and the ViewPad 10. Now available for purchase for an ESP of $459, the ViewPad 7 is a 7-inch Android 2.2-based tablet that combines a Qualcomm® MSM7227 600MHz processor with 3.5G data technology. With an 800x400 WVGA LCD screen in a lightweight, pocket-sized design, this device is one of the few 7-inch tablets to offer Android Google Mobile Services (GMS) for access to more than 100,000 Google apps and games along with Gmail, YouTube and more for a convenient entertainment solution that fits their mobile lifestyle. Teamed with built-in 3-megapixel, dual front and rear cameras, GPS/A-GPS, an integrated e-book reader, Document-To-Go functionality and an ultra long battery life of up to 10 hours, the ViewPad 7 ensures consumers can bring all their favorite multimedia content with them wherever they go.
ViewSonic's 10.1-inch Wi-Fi based ViewPad 10 tablet offers the best of both worlds with dual operating systems, giving consumers a choice between Windows® 7 Home Premium and Google Android 1.6 within the same device. With a high speed Intel® Atom™ 1.66GHz processor and sharp 1024x600 LED backlit panel, this tablet is ideal for consumers that want to use Windows to view Flash-based content and Office programs, and Android for mobile entertainment. The ViewPad 10 is on track for availability in March for an ESP of $629, as scheduled.
For more information on this and other CES announcements, including hi-res images, please visit ViewSonic.com/ces2011/. For further information on ViewSonic and its products, visit ViewSonic.com or follow ViewSonic on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
About ViewSonic
ViewSonic® Corporation is a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions. ViewSonic develops, markets and supports a broad range of innovative products, including LCD TVs, computers, Tablet, LCD monitors, projectors, digital photo frames, digital signage displays and digital media players. For further information, please contact ViewSonic Corporation at 800.888.8583 or 909.444.8888; or visit ViewSonic.com.

ViewSonic is expected to bring forth a phone-tablet hybrid sort of device that might very well support 4G at CES next week. It could very will be a doozie. The device will have a four-inch screen, capable of making telephone calls, and will be running some version of Android (seems kind of like everything else so far, right?) Sources speaking with Ian Sherr of Down Jones Newswires said they'd rather not be named since the company is not yet sharing details with the public, but they did let loose that ViewSonic would also be releasing an additional two MORE tablets at CES as well. Tablet rain!

Viewsonic has blamed Android and Adobe's Flash for poor first-impressions of its 10.1-inch GTablet slate, suggesting that the reason the Tegra 2 based tablet was pulled from Staples shelves over the weekend was not, as the retailer suggested, because of a "manufacturing defect" but merely a shortfall in "user experience". The GTablet will get a software update by the end of this week that will apparently address complaints about the Tap 'n' Tap UI - including giving owners the opportunity to turn it off altogether - among other things.
However, the GTablet will have to wait until the end of January 2011 for an update to Flash Player that will see the plugin certified by Adobe; Viewsonic has been impacted by the same issue that Advent reported earlier this month affecting its Vega tablet.
[via SlashGear]
Press Release:

ViewSonic Confirms High Performance of GTablet
Software Upgrade Release to Improve User Experience
WALNUT, Calif. – December 20, 2010 – ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, today responded to recent retailer actions surrounding its GTablet 10.1″ Android 2.2 Tablet. The GTablet, based on the nVidia Tegra II chipset, is one of the fastest Android tablets on the market today, consistently leading industry benchmarks.
“We always listen to customers; while they love the hardware, they raised several issues about the user interface,” Jeff Volpe, VP and GM for ViewSonic Americas. “As a result, our software partner is releasing an upgrade that will address customer concerns. Along with great performance improvements, customers will have the flexibility to use both a standard Android interface as well as a user-customizable interface which has been significantly enhanced since the product launch.” Volpe went on to say, “ViewSonic is committed to its tablet endeavors and will continue with new announcements at CES in January.”
Current GTablet owners will automatically receive the upgrade through their WiFi connection by Friday, December 24. Users simply need to accept the request to install the upgrade. In addition, Adobe® Flash certification is targeted for the end of January, 2011. In the interim, users can download Flash from various websites that distribute android applications.
For the latest on GTablet software updates, please visit ViewSonic.com/gtablet beginning Wednesday, December 22. For general questions, please contact GTablet support at (866) 501-6405.

ViewSonic's been birdfeeding the computer industry with lovely monitors for so long now, it was just a matter of time before the pulled out all the plugs and wires and whatnot from behind the screens and offered a fabulous little tablet. It's seven inches of front and rear facing camera having, 600MHz ARM CPU toting goodness, and it's only $120 more than they promised to give it to the world for two weeks ago. Amazon is where you can pre-order it, $599 is what you're gonna be paying. And it can make calls!

ViewSonic has announced US availability and pricing for the ViewPad 7 and ViewPad 10 Android tablets, a week after the 7- and 10-inch slates made their UK debut. The ViewPad 7 runs Android 2.2 Froyo, while the ViewPad 10 gets Android 1.6 and Windows 7.
More on the ViewPad 7 here and the ViewPad 10 here. The ViewPad 7 will be available in late Q4 2010 priced at $479, while the dual-booting ViewPad 10 will drop in Q1 2011 at $629.
ViewPad 7 demo:
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ViewPad 10 demo:
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Press Release:

VIEWSONIC UNVEILS ANDROID™-BASED VIEWPADS®
Thousands of open-sourced apps available for 7” Android 2.2 3.5G capable ViewPad 7 and 10.1” dual-boot Win 7 and Android 1.6 ViewPad 10
WALNUT, Calif. – November 1, 2010 – ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, today announced its ViewPad line of Android-based devices, featuring the ViewPad 7 and ViewPad 10.
“Leveraging our 20-year display heritage, these new ViewPad solutions provide users with anytime anywhere connectivity,” said Jeff Volpe, vice president and general manager for ViewSonic Americas. “With access to the universe of Android apps, our new ViewPads are perfectly suited for enjoying digital entertainment and social media. Office productivity is also a snap with robust web browsing functionality.”
ViewPad 7 – The Android 2.2 ViewPad 7 combines a powerful processor with 3.5G capable data technology in a lightweight, pocket-sized 7” form factor. With an 800x480 WVGA LCD screen, this device is one of the only 7” tablet solutions with Android Google Mobile Services (GMS). As a result, consumers can connect to a selection of more than 100,000 apps and games along with Gmail, YouTube and more for a superior and convenient entertainment solution that fits today’s mobile lifestyle.
With its wireless 802.11 b/g and Bluetooth® connectivity the ViewPad 7 supports instant messaging, VoIP, and all the web browsing and USB connectivity functions of a capacitive multi-touch device. The ViewPad 7 features 2 built-in cameras: a 3-megapixel, auto focus camera in the rear and a 0.3 megapixel camera in the front. In addition to the integrated 512MB of memory, the ViewPad 7 offers up to an additional 32GB of storage capacity via the micro SD card slot, along with battery life of up to 10 hours. The result is the ultimate device for connected fun and multitasking – in a compact size easier to carry than a netbook and with better media performance than a smartphone.
The ViewPad 7 will be available in late Q4 2010 for an ESP of $479. Third-party accessories and ViewCare™ extended warranties will also be available at launch.
ViewPad 10 – Innovative and productive, this 10.1” dual-boot Wi-Fi device gives users a choice between Windows® 7 Home Premium and Google Android 1.6 within the same device. With a high performance, high speed Intel® Atom™ 1.66GHz processor, integrated 1GB of memory, 16GB SSD hard drive and expandable micro SD slot, the ViewPad 10 is ideally designed to view Flash-based content and Office programs with Windows, and for an optimized mobile entertainment experience with Android. Additionally, the 1024x600 LED backlit panel includes a G-sensor and capacitive multi-touch for intuitive navigation across multiple applications. Teamed with a 1.3-megapixel webcam with built-in microphone, the ViewPad 10 is great for videoconferencing as well.
The ViewPad 10 with dual-boot OS will be available in Q1 2011 for an ESP of $629. Third-party accessories and ViewCare™ extended warranties will be available at launch.
For further information on ViewSonic products, please visit ViewSonic.com or follow ViewSonic on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

Our sister site SlashGear got to pit the two upcoming Android tablets against each other and compare specs. The Viewpad 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab are the two Android tablets. They both run different versions of Froyo and have different price tags, but will be going up against not only the industry-leading iPad, but themselves as well.